Stop Over-Explaining: People Don’t Need That Much Detail

A client came to me the other day, worried.

“I feel like I’m not giving people enough information,” they said. “What if they don’t get it? What if they have questions?”

I took a deep breath and asked, “How many people actually respond asking for more details?”

Silence. Then a sheepish laugh.

“Uh… almost no one.”

Exactly.

We think more words = more clarity. But more often than not, more words = more confusion (or worse, boredom).

Think about it—when was the last time you read an entire Terms & Conditions page? Or enjoyed a 10-paragraph Instagram caption?

People don’t want more information. They want useful information, fast.

Why We Ramble (And How to Stop)

1. We Think More Details = More Convincing
   Nope. The stronger your point, the fewer words it needs. Say it. Stop. Let it breathe.

2. We Fear Being Misunderstood
   More words don’t mean more clarity. They just mean more chances to lose people. Instead of explaining everything, explain one thing well.

3. We Don’t Trust the Reader
   People aren’t goldfish. They get it. Give them credit. Say enough to spark curiosity, not enough to kill it.

Breaking It Down:

1. Pepsi’s Version (Left Side) – A Pepsi can wears a Coca-Cola cape with the caption:
   “We wish you a scary Halloween!”
   Implied Message: Coke is scary, like a Halloween costume. Pepsi is playful, positioning itself as the better choice.

2. Coca-Cola’s Response (Right Side) – Same image, but the caption changes:
   “Everybody wants to be a hero!”
   Implied Message: The Pepsi can isn’t wearing a Coke cape as a scary costume—it’s wearing it because it wants to be Coke.

What Makes This Powerful?

• Minimal text, maximum impact – The combination of words and visuals forces your brain to fill in the gaps.

• Emotional triggers – Pepsi’s humor vs. Coca-Cola’s confidence.

• Reframing the narrative – Coca-Cola flipped the message without changing the image.

This is the kind of marketing that sticks because it’s subtle, clever, and engages the audience’s perception.

Lesson? Images + text = persuasion magic. Use them wisely. 🚀

The Power of Saying Less But Better

Now, I know not everyone works in advertising, so let's look at some examples that can apply to your business.

Email:

Yes: "Let’s grab coffee." 
No: "Would you be available for a discussion over coffee next week?" (Just...why?)

Yes: "The deadline is Friday."
No: "I’d like this done by end of day Friday, if possible." 
(If possible? It’s possible. Just say it.)

Website Copy:

No: "Our company is a leading provider of innovative solutions designed to help businesses grow and scale efficiently."

Yes: "We help businesses grow. Fast." (Boom. Done.)

Social Media:

No: "Check out our new blog post on productivity tips that will help you manage your time better and get more done in less time!"

Yes: "Want to get more done in less time? Read this. 🔥 [link]"

Sales Pages & Ads:

No: "With our cutting-edge technology and experienced team, we provide unparalleled solutions to improve efficiency in your business operations."

Yes: "Save time. Make money. We’ll show you how."

Try it today—fewer words, bigger impact. 🚀

See you next Wednesday, same time!

Love, Redona ❤️

PS – This is what happens when you overthink how much you should write. 😂